ME72

THE MISSION

In the 41st Annual ME72 Capstone Design Competition, teams of mechanical and civil engineering students design and build robotic systems to compete in a fast-paced engineering challenge. The competition centers on a striking central structure: a four-foot-tall, steel-skinned pyramid with 37-degree sloped faces. The summit is a flat 3 ft × 3 ft deck. The pyramid defines the game's visual identity and shapes its core challenge. Robots must climb the inclined steel faces. Robots must crest the summit. Robots must operate on the top platform while competing directly with other teams. During each match, robots collect scattered Hot Pellets from the field. Robots transport the pellets to the pyramid's summit. Pellets deposited at the summit are converted into Energy Credits. The Energy Credits are returned to the field. Energy Credits are banked at ground-level Vaults to score points. The pyramid is both an obstacle and the central mechanism through which higher-value scoring is achieved, rewarding teams that can combine mobility, control, and strategic decision making. The competition emphasizes speed, strategy, and physical interaction in a shared arena. The arena is often congested. Teams must operate reliably under time pressure. Across the Fall and Winter quarters, students enroll in the two-term ME72a/b Capstone Design course sequence. Students progress through the entire engineering design cycle, encompassing concept development, analysis, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and iteration. The Capstone course experience culminates in a public tournament. One team emerges victorious and hoists the ME72 trophy.

COMPETITION RULES & TASKS

Each match features three teams competing simultaneously. Matches take place on a 40-footsquare field. Each match lasts four minutes and thirty seconds. The match begins with a 30-second autonomous period. The autonomous period is followed by teleoperated play. Each team may field up to two robots. The robots work together during the match. Teams score by transporting pellets to the pyramid's summit. Pellets are deposited through designated openings. Successful containment converts pellets into Energy Credits. The Energy Credits exit the pyramid and roll toward floor-level Vaults, where they are automatically banked to score points. Teams may earn bonus points. Bonus points are earned by intercepting Energy Credits before they reach the Vault. The intercepted Energy Credits must then be successfully banked. Teams may pursue different scoring strategies. Some strategies prioritize summit scoring. Summit scoring offers a higher payoff. Summit scoring requires reliable climbing and operation on the pyramid. Other strategies rely on ground-level Depot processing routes. Depot-based strategies offer faster but lower-value scoring. Robots may physically interact while competing for pellets and space. Physical interaction must remain within safety and fair-play guidelines. The team with the highest total score wins the match. Ties are broken by the total number of banked Energy Credits. If teams remain tied, the team that banks its final Energy Credit first wins. If needed, the head-to-head point differential is used.

DESIGN CHALLENGES

The Apex Cleanup competition presents a demanding physical design problem that requires students to engineer robust, high-performance robotic systems. The pyramid's 37-degree inclined steel surfaces demand careful attention to traction, torque, and stability. At the same time, transitions at the base, cresting the summit, and descent require disciplined geometric design, clearance management, and controlled motion. Robots must maintain control, reliability, and consistent performance while repeatedly climbing, cresting, and descending the pyramid. Teams must also design effective mechanisms for pellet acquisition. Teams must design and create systems to retain pellets. Teams must design controlled release mechanisms at the summit. Teams must design controlled release mechanisms at ground-level interfaces. The arena imposes space constraints. The arena includes frequent congestion. Physical interaction occurs repeatedly during matches. These factors place a premium on compact packaging and durability. Repeatability is essential. Students fabricate custom chassis and mechanisms using additive manufacturing and precision machining. Students integrate motors, sensors, electronics, and embedded control systems. Multi-robot operation requires coordination. Success depends on careful trade studies. Success depends on iterative testing. Success depends on systems-level integration. The work closely mirrors professional engineering practice.